Newcastle Alliance Party Councillor Patrick Clarke has asked DRD Roads Service to carry out an assessment for traffic calming measures at Marguerite Park and Eliza Close in Newcastle following concerns raised by some residents and parents about speeding traffic.

Clarke has voiced his concern about Marguerite Park in particular due to part of the main road layout being a long straight which allows traffic to increase speed.

Speaking to Newry Times, Clarke stated, “When in the Marguerite Park area recently a number of households in both Marguerite Park and Eliza Close raised their concerns with me about parts of the roadway in both developments being used by drivers who are driving at speed.

“In particular the roadway along Marguerite Park there is a long stretch which allows drivers to easily increase their speed driving into and out of Marguerite Park. This is causing concern to some households who feel something needs to be done to reduce driver speed and to make drivers aware they are in a built up residential area.

Clarke continued, “In Eliza Close at the bottom of Marguerite Park a number of parents also raised their worries about some drivers not being mindful of children playing in the area when driving in and out of Eliza Close.

“I have written to DRD Roads Service about carrying out an assessment of both Marguerite Park and Eliza Close for possible traffic calming measures and have asked DRD Roads Service to look into possible signage also making drivers aware of their speed.

He added, “Some households made me aware that speeding has been an ongoing issue but to date nobody has resolved the speeding issues in both developments.

“I have also now spoken to Newcastle Neighbourhood Community Policing Team to also monitor both developments for possible speeding traffic and to monitor the area.”